Peer Support Specialist - Crisis Services

At Ecker Center for Behavioral Health, we are committed to building a team that truly represents the communities we serve — because great care starts with great people. At Ecker, we are proud of the real difference our work makes every day, demonstrating dedication and a compassionate approach, where treatment is carefully planned and customized for each individual based on their unique needs and strengths. That same care extends to the well-being of each of our team members. Together, our staff fosters a welcoming workplace where every voice is heard, every perspective is valued, and open feedback drives continuous improvement.

As a trusted behavioral health organization committed to providing care in the community since 1955, we offer an array of comprehensive services for youth, adolescents, and adults. Our Mobile Crisis Response program responds to behavioral health crises in the community, offering immediate intervention and linkage to appropriate care. While our Crisis Stabilization Program provides up to 23 hours of immediate, trauma-informed care to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, ensuring a safe and calming environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a peer role model of recovery, self-determination, and advocacy for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
• Provide treatment to and use lived experience in providing crisis intervention and case management services
• Provide triage, assessment, crisis de-escalation/resolution, coordination with local hospitals, police, fire, medical and behavioral health services, crisis planning and follow up
• Manage walk-in, telephone and community-based crises
• Delivers services in the community where the client is located, including shelters and client homes
• Provides referral and disposition options appropriate to the client’s needs and safety including warm hand offs to referral sources. Schedules outpatients follow ups

Performance Requirements

• Demonstrate independent decision-making skills, seeking consultation appropriately
• Use lived experience to provide crisis counseling and peer support
• Demonstrate knowledge of documentation standards and capacity to meet documentation expectations.
• Ability to value diversity, accept differences, apply cultural knowledge, and adapt to different cultural contexts.
• Knowledge of human development across the life cycle, as applicable to the clinical population served
• Provides case management, supportive counseling and rehabilitative services including instruction clients on ADL and social skills.
• Interface and effectively liaison with other treatment providers

Education and Experience

• Recovery Support Specialists (RSS) and Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS) draw on their own life experiences to help others develop and maintain their recovery from substance abuse disorders, mental health disorders, or dual diagnoses.
• CRSS/CPRS certification or capable of attaining the credential within 12 months of hire
• Experience working with adults and children with mental health and/or substance use needs
• Bilingual Spanish preferred
• Must be able to work independently and be willing to travel in the community (Kane County and nearby Cook)
• Willing to transport clients when appropriate, current driver’s license, automobile, and auto insurance required

Schedule: Thursday – Saturday, 1:30pm – 12am, 30 hours/week

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health offers a hearty benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:

• 403(b) plan with organizational contributions of 2% to 7%, based on length of service
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition reimbursement plus many other training opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program – face to face counseling sessions, resources for work/life, life coaching, financial, medical advocacy, and more
• Extended sick and disability leave
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, Ecker Center also offers a generous amount of paid time off.

• 2 – 4 weeks of vacation, based on length of service
• 9 Holidays
• 8 Personal days
• 8 Sick days

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace where all team members have an opportunity to succeed.

Pay: $31,200.00 - $44,054.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a CRSS/CPRS certification or capable of attaining the credential within 12 months of hire?
• Are you able to work the hours as posted? (Thursday – Saturday, 1:30pm – 12am, 30 hours/week)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Drivers License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $31,200 - $44,054